AnthonyWan Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 Hey all - I'm looking to potentially build one of those early "Air Superiority Blue" F-15Bs from the Caracal sheet. Anyone know if I can achieve that with the Great Wall F-15B/D? Obviously some modification will be needed... trying to gauge how extensive. Shorter speedbrake, different seats, different wheels I'd assume to start? Thanks! -Anthony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 You pretty well nailed it. Check antennas as well. If I recall, there were some minute airframe details that were different but personally I wouldn't get my drawers in a knot over it. The seats in that jet looks like ACES. Weird. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aircommando130 Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 73-111 had a regular speedbrake with a stiffener on it. A model wheels were the black ones and if I remember ACES II seats after block 11?? Might have been later blocks but those air superiority blue Eagles were cool looking! Cheers...Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 1 hour ago, aircommando130 said: 73-111 had a regular speedbrake with a stiffener on it. A model wheels were the black ones and if I remember ACES II seats after block 11?? Might have been later blocks but those air superiority blue Eagles were cool looking! Cheers...Ron So I don’t even need to shorten the speedbrake for this one? Score! ACES II seats as the gentleman mentioned above. A model wheels - in black. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 (edited) Cool subject! Some features pertaining to 73-0111 in its air superiority blue days... Escapac IC-7 seats. These were installed on USAF Eagles at least through Block 17…Aces II retrofit in early to mid 1980s. As already mentioned, metal speed brake with external stiffener plate. Inside structure (see picture below) differed considerably from later composites speed brake. Turkey feathered exhausts (like the F-16) until 1980/81. Dummy (?) antenna pods atop vertical stabilizers: rear section truncated on LH side, pinched on RH side. RH side was also larger in diameter compared to later ballast spikes. “Bumps” on lower engine sections where they enter notches in fuselage structure. Fully enclosed barrier arresting hook. No strakes on fuselage above rear AIM-7 missile stations. Officially designated TF-15A until 1978. Others here will no doubt chime in with more details. ...edited with additional info Edited March 17 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 (edited) 2 hours ago, AnthonyWan said: So I don’t even need to shorten the speedbrake for this one? Score! ACES II seats as the gentleman mentioned above. A model wheels - in black. Correct on the overall dimensions of speed brake, but definitely Escapac seats for 73-0111, at least during its “powder blue" days (mid to late 1970s). Edited March 17 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Appreciate the feedback Rich, Ron, Bill. Need to check around who does IC-7 Escapac seats... I see a bunch of Skyhawk IC-3/, S-3 IE-1, and A-7K IG-2 seats but none for the TF-15A. Would one of those work for an "almost" option? The only IC-7 I see is in 1/32. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichB63 Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 (edited) 43 minutes ago, AnthonyWan said: Appreciate the feedback Rich, Ron, Bill. Need to check around who does IC-7 Escapac seats... I see a bunch of Skyhawk IC-3/, S-3 IE-1, and A-7K IG-2 seats but none for the TF-15A. Would one of those work for an "almost" option? The only IC-7 I see is in 1/32. A close relative is the Escapac IG-2 seat used in the A-7 Corsair II. I like the Aires offering (set #4442). The seat is crisply molded with sharp detail and the head box profile looks good. Install a blanking plate over the recess for the upper D-Ring handle and you’re in business. The shape of the lower side pan (next to the pilots knees) is different, but this area would be much less noticeable on the finished model. Edited March 17 by RichB63 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 40 minutes ago, RichB63 said: A close relative is the Escapac IG-2 seat used in the A-7 Corsair II. I like the Aires offering (set #4442). The seat is crisply molded with sharp detail and the head box profile looks good. Install a blanking plate over the recess for the upper D-Ring handle and you’re in business. The shape of the lower side pan (next to the pilots knees) is different, but this area would be much less noticeable on the finished model. Perfect. Thank you sir! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Looking forward to see your build, Anthony! The only thing I could add to the valuable feedback here is that the GWH kit already includes Escapac seats. They may not be as detailed as aftermarket, but many folks said they look the part. https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/gwh/pages/gwh_4815_parts6.shtml Quote Link to post Share on other sites
serendip Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 On 3/17/2023 at 4:33 AM, RichB63 said: Cool subject! Some features pertaining to 73-0111 in its air superiority blue days... Escapac IC-7 seats. These were installed on USAF Eagles at least through Block 17…Aces II retrofit in early to mid 1980s. As already mentioned, metal speed brake with external stiffener plate. Inside structure (see picture below) differed considerably from later composites speed brake. Turkey feathered exhausts (like the F-16) until 1980/81. Dummy (?) antenna pods atop vertical stabilizers: rear section truncated on LH side, pinched on RH side. RH side was also larger in diameter compared to later ballast spikes. “Bumps” on lower engine sections where they enter notches in fuselage structure. Fully enclosed barrier arresting hook. No strakes on fuselage above rear AIM-7 missile stations. Officially designated TF-15A until 1978. Others here will no doubt chime in with more details. ...edited with additional info Is that Gerald Ford in the top picture? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 On 4/16/2023 at 1:31 PM, serendip said: Is that Gerald Ford in the top picture? You'd know for sure if there was video of him falling coming off the ladder 🙊 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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